Abstract

In 1997, Seacare Inc was formed by a group of people with an interest in the marine environment with the intention of facilitating community projects to address problem areas. The primary project adopted by the group related to the string kelp Macrocystis pyrifera. Concern had been raised over the state of Macrocystis pyrifera forests in Tasmania due to the perceived loss of the alga around the Tasmanian coastline. The alga is thought to be comparatively highly productive and provides food and shelter for a wide range of animals and plants.
Three lots of funding over five years were received through Fishcare, a subsidiary of the National Heritage Trust (NHT). The first project looked at re-establishing Macrocystis pyrifera in the upper reaches of the Derwent Estuary (NHT 1997/98). The second phase (NHT 2000/01) looked at whether or not the introduced macroalga Undaria pinnatifida may be a factor in affecting Macrocystis pyrifera re-establishment in the Mercury Passage on Tasmania's east coast. Funding was later given to continue this work and to extend it to more wave exposed coasts and in deeper waters (applied for 2001/02).